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Parole Board Guide

The Parole Board is an independent body, which is separate from the government, the Ministry of Justice, prisons and probation service. Its powers are like a court and its decisions are binding on everyone.

The parole process can be unfamiliar and distressing for many people. Despite this, the Parole Board value victim participation and wherever possible the Parole Board aims to improve the experience of victims.

The Parole Board has a duty to:

Consider all representations that victims have made about licence conditions (see below for more details)

If a victim has requested a licence condition which has not been included, provide an explanation for the non-inclusion

Read a Victim Personal Statement if one is submitted

Consider applications from the victim if they want to attend the oral hearing

Consent to a request from the victim to attend in person unless there are good reasons for not doing so

The complaints process

The Parole Board has a process in place to deal with complaints and will resolve swiftly, and will keep the victim informed of progress of the complaint.

The process includes the right for the victim to complain to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman if the victim is not satisfied with the response.

This is set out in the Parole Board’s Complaints Policy, which can be found here:

What the Parole Board doesn’t do

The Parole Board has no direct contact with victims. Their engagement in the parole process is fully managed through the Victim Contact Service. VLOs have direct responsibility for ensuring victims signed up to the VCS are provided with the correct services.

The Parole Board does not manage an offender once released, this is the responsibility of Probation Officers.

The Parole Board cannot deal with complaints about decisions regarding whether or not to release a prisoner. This can only be challenged by way of Judicial Review through the Administrative Courts.